Lumka Olifant confirms department paid for Bathabile Dlamini’s SABC interview
The Department of Social Development’s spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant, has confirmed that the department paid R5m to the SABC for media exposure‚ including R149‚000 for the public broadcaster to interview the Social Development Minister.Oliphant made the disclosures to talk show host Bongani Bingwa on 702 Talk Radio. Daily Maverick reported this week that R500,000 was paid for SABC host Anele Mdoda to interview Bathabile Dlamini on a lighthearted entertainment show. The department initially denied the claim and said: "The reports, which are completely untrue, are a display of gutter journalism to destroy anyone who dares to give a different narrative on Minister Bathabile Dlamini."But Oliphant made an about-turn on air on Thursday morning and said R149‚000 was paid to the SABC for this interview — which focused on Dlamini’s friends and family.Oliphant felt the media would not give the department’s side of the story. "We are in a very hostile environment," she said."No matter how many ...
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